Albi

Albi is in Tarn, Midi-Pyrenees, in Southwestern France.

Albi, the capital of the Department of Tarn, is 75 km northeast of Toulouse. It is probably best-known as the birthplace of the painter and illustrator, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. But at least equally relevant to travellers is the Cité épiscopale, an intact set of Mediaeval buildings surrounding the cathedral that was recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site in 2010.

• Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile. This beautiful and impressive fortified cathedral was designed to express a renewal in orthodox Catholicism after the Cathar heresy, which had been centred in the area and whose bloody suppression by the Inquisition was largely complete at the time construction began in 1287. The edifice is primarily a brick Gothic construction, but there is a door by Dominique de Florence (Dominick of Florence) and there are also Italian Renaissance frescoes on the ceiling. Its organ dates from the 18th century.
• Palais de la Berbie and the Musée Toulouse-Lautrec, Place Sainte-Cécile. Museum: Jan-Mar Nov Dec: 10:00-12:00 and 14:00-17:30; Apr May Oct June 1-20: 10:00-12:00 and 14:00-18:00; June 21st-Sep: 09:00-18:00; closed Tuesdays; Oct-Mar. Palace gardens: Apr-Sep: 08:00-19:00; Oct-Mar: 08:00-18:00. The largest public collection in the world dedicated to Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, including the 31 posters he designed, paintings, drawings and lithographs. Museum: adult €10, family €21, child up to €13, extra fees for special exhibitions.
• Old bridge.
• Old windmills.

Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile. This beautiful and impressive fortified cathedral was designed to express a renewal in orthodox Catholicism after the Cathar heresy, which had been centred in the area and whose bloody suppression by the Inquisition was largely complete at the time construction began in 1287. The edifice is primarily a brick [[Gothic]] construction, but there is a door by Dominique de Florence (Dominick of Florence) and there are also Italian Renaissance frescoes on the ceiling. Its organ dates from the 18th century.

Palais de la Berbie and the Musée Toulouse-Lautrec, Place Sainte-Cécile. Museum: Jan-Mar Nov Dec: 10:00-12:00 and 14:00-17:30; Apr May Oct June 1-20: 10:00-12:00 and 14:00-18:00; June 21st-Sep: 09:00-18:00; closed Tuesdays; Oct-Mar. Palace gardens: Apr-Sep: 08:00-19:00; Oct-Mar: 08:00-18:00. The largest public collection in the world dedicated to Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, including the 31 posters he designed, paintings, drawings and lithographs. Museum: adult €10, family €21, child up to €13, extra fees for special exhibitions.

Old bridge.

Old windmills.

• Le Lautrec, 13-15 Rue Henri de Toulouse Lautrec, +33 5 63 54 86 55.
• La Fourchette Adroite, 7 Place de l'Archevêché, +33 5 63 49 77 81.

Le Lautrec, 13-15 Rue Henri de Toulouse Lautrec, +33 5 63 54 86 55.

La Fourchette Adroite, 7 Place de l'Archevêché, +33 5 63 49 77 81.